FOG Program

Gloucester County Public Utilities' Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) Program is designed to provide you with the proper tools and knowledge to prevent pipe blockages that cause backups and sanitary sewer overflows. There are a number of ways you can help reduce the amount of FOG entering the sanitary sewer system by following best management practices in the kitchen to properly dispose of fats, oils, and grease. Doing so helps the environment, our health, and our economy.

Attention Gloucester County Food Service Establishments

Beginning in July 2011, the Utilities Department will be contacting you by mail with an information packet regarding participation in the County FOG Program. If you need to request a variance, please send an email or a letter to the contact information shown below. Please include your business name, contact information and reason for the variance. Once a formal inspection of your facility has been completed, your variance request will be reviewed.

Required Food Service Establishment Employee Training

The fees associated with FOG Program are as follows, FSE Registration fee is $40.00 and FSE annual inspection fee is $25.00.

General Information

Greasy foods can be unhealthy for your body, but did you know that fats, oils, and grease (FOG) are bad for your plumbing system, too? In addition to cooking oils and grease, the following substances are also considered FOG: food scraps, meat fats, lard, shortening, butter/margarine, dairy products, batters, dressings, icing, and sauces. If poured or washed down the drain, these substances cling to pipe walls and build up over time.

It's up to all of us to do our part to prevent harmful blockages, backups, and sanitary sewer overflows caused by FOG. Preventing the problem is easy if you practice these good habits in the kitchen:

Avoid using the garbage disposal - ground up food particles only contribute to pipe blockages.

Before washing, absorb small amounts of grease on pots, pans, dishes, and cooking utensils by wiping them with a paper towel - then dispose of it in the trash.

Never pour grease down the drain or into a toilet. Neither garbage disposals nor the piping in your home can handle these substances.

Once grease has cooled, pour it into an empty, heat-safe container (like a jar or can), secure a lid on it and place it in the trash.

Scrape food scraps from plates into the trash.

Use a basket or strainer in your sink to catch food scraps, then empty into the trash.

Learn More About the Program

If you still have FOG questions, send us an email at FOG Program. View a list of grease haulers (PDF) or a list of those who service any grease traps/interceptors (PDF) within the County who are permitted through Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD) and certified through Hampton Roads Planning District Commission's Regional Grease Hauler Program. For dates and times of upcoming training sessions, contact Julia Hillegass with Hampton Roads Planning District Commission at 757-420-8300.

Sanitary Sewer Stoppage

If you suspect a sanitary sewer stoppage, please call Public Utilities Department at 804-693-1230. Together we can keep our pipes clean!